My heart is bursting. Just bursting. I wrote a letter to all the beautiful souls who made this gift possible:

I am touched beyond words by all of your donations. I’m humbled that you would reach into your pockets to support our outstanding students.

As you know, funding in public schools is tight and even tighter in the Bronx. Our school serves one of this nation’s most underserved and underfunded areas. The disparities between the opportunities given to children just 10 minutes away in Westchester County and our students in the Bronx are criminally heartbreaking.

But your generosity is part of the beautiful alchemy of turning lead into gold. I fully believe education is a form of alchemy. We take the uncarved block of a school year, and with a bit of planning, some facts and figures, and a lot of love, we create possibilities out of thin air. Your gift to our students shows the magic behind the “trick” of turning knowledge into power.

While it may seem like magic, it is an act of love (which often looks like magic). It’s that agape love—the universal altruistic lovingkindness that makes life worth living.

So thank you—from me, my school, and most importantly, my students. We will have a wonderful year, and I look forward to sharing the fruits of your gift.

With gratitude,

Mr. Stroh